Stubborn Fifth.
The name struck Alexander Vance's mind like a lightning bolt.
Besides Elder Howard, only one person had ever called him that.
Little Dumpling.
The little girl who had been trafficked.
He had never told her his real name.
Only that he was the fifth child in his family, and that Elder Howard always called him Stubborn Fifth.
But Little Dumpling was Sophia Watson.
Why would Sophia Watson send him a package?
Alexander's sharp gaze turned to the driver. "When did this package arrive? Did Elder Howard forget to give it to me?"
The driver quickly shook his head. "No, it arrived the night before last. The Elder specifically instructed me to rush back overnight and deliver it to you personally. He said you had mentioned this package was extremely important."
The night before last…
Could it have been sent before Sophia jumped?
Alexander's heart sank heavily.
He lowered his eyes, his voice deep. "Understood."
Returning to the study, his eyes fell on the package box.
He walked over and picked it up.
Inside was a box carefully wrapped in foam.
A letter was tucked beside it.
What would Sophia write in the letter?
A suicide note?
A mocking curve touched Alexander's lips as he tossed the letter back onto the desk.
He leaned back in his chair, his gaze sweeping over the marriage certificate and household register on the desk.
During the live stream, Evelyn Ross's words had made her resolve clear.
There was no point in him clinging on.
He picked up the marriage certificate and opened it.
The girl in the photo smiled shyly at the camera, the teardrop mole at the corner of her eye identical to Evelyn's…
Alexander sat up abruptly.
No.
The girl in the photo wasn't her!
Evelyn's eyes were always resolute, never this shy and timid. This woman could mimic Evelyn's appearance, but she couldn't replicate her spirit.
Alexander's jaw tightened.
Even if this woman was an imposter, legally, this marriage certificate was real…
A knock interrupted his thoughts.
He looked up to see Eleanor Vance trembling as she entered, supported by Fiona.
Alexander immediately stood. "Grandmother…"
Eleanor sighed. "You foolish boy. Is my granddaughter-in-law divorcing you?"
Alexander remained silent.
Eleanor continued, "You foolish boy, some things you must know when to hold and when to let go. If you can't resolve the Sophia issue, don't drag my granddaughter-in-law down. What is she to do now? How awkward is her situation?"
Alexander's jaw tightened further.
He hadn't expected even his grandmother, who usually feigned illness to stop the divorce, to withdraw her support…
He opened his mouth, but no words came out.
The internal struggle and pain tore at him like a wild beast, savaging his heart and lungs…
He clenched his fists, his voice hoarse. "Grandmother, in this life, besides you, I have no family. She is the only person I want to hold onto. I don't want to let go…"
Eleanor walked over and gently patted his shoulder. "You foolish boy, I support my granddaughter-in-law's decision. You place too much weight on gratitude. If your lifesaver just dies like that, you'll never move on. This could become an insurmountable obstacle between you and my granddaughter-in-law in the future. It's better to divorce first, set her free, and give yourself time to handle the Sophia matter."
She smiled faintly. "Don't be too pessimistic. If you and my granddaughter-in-law are truly destined, I believe you will find your way back to each other…"
Alexander's eyes turned icy. "But Grandmother, what if she gives me no second chance? What if after the divorce, she falls in love with someone else?"
Eleanor was speechless for a moment, finally sighing helplessly. "Then it means it wasn't meant to be. You foolish boy, think it over carefully."
With that, she turned and left.
The moment the study door closed, Alexander slammed his fist into the wall beside him.
"Bang!"
A bloody mark was left on the wall.
Alexander turned, his gaze falling on the marriage certificate on the desk…
Finally, he strode over, stuffing the marriage certificate, ID card, and household register into his pocket.
There were still three hours until two in the afternoon.
In three hours, Evelyn would no longer be his Mrs. Vance…
Alexander let out a low laugh.
The sound was bitter and despairing, filled with the helplessness of being trapped by circumstances.
He leaned back in his chair and violently swept everything off the desk!!
Then he clutched his head tightly.
His fists were trembling.
Coincidentally, the box fell open upon impact, and the jade thumb ring inside jumped out, rolling across the floor with a "clatter."
Alexander froze.
He followed the sound. The jade thumb ring rolled a few times on the floor before coming to a stop…
When Alexander clearly saw the jade thumb ring, his pupils constricted violently.
This jade thumb ring… Didn't Sophia say her mother had sold it?
Why was it here?!
This was Eleanor's family heirloom. After Sophia said it had been sold, he had Thomas search for it all these years.
He had intended to buy it back and return it to his grandmother.
After all, his grandmother had wanted to give this jade thumb ring to her granddaughter-in-law…
So how did it suddenly appear here?
Did Thomas find it?
…No!
The jade thumb ring was delivered to the old mansion along with the letter!
Could it be…
A shock went through Alexander's pupils. He hurriedly pushed his chair back, knelt on the floor, pushed aside the documents, and finally found the letter he had tossed aside.
His hands trembling, he slowly opened the letter…
The handwriting wasn't Sophia's, but it held a strangely familiar quality.
This familiarity sparked an incredible guess in Alexander's heart…
He hurriedly read on…
The moment he saw the signature, he was stunned, rooted to the spot!!
The letter read:
"By the way, I didn't have a name back then, but I do now. My name is Evelyn Ross. My number is 183xxxxxxxx. If you come to San Francisco, I'll treat you to a meal."